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AlphaTauri F1 team have extended contract with Yuki Tsunoda which in effect would keep the Japanese under the Red Bull feeder’s umbrella for another year, the team have said in a statement on Thursday. In the matter of fact, coming into the second year of his career at Formula One, Tsunoda, a part of Red Bull’s youth driver program, has not been in a good shape earlier this season, while many analysts had questioned his future in AlphaTauri team. Adding further holocaust, earlier this week, Red Bull Chief Horner had expressed penitence over his failure to seize the reigning F2 champion Oscar Piastri several years earlier, underscoring Red Bull’s expectation at academy level. Nonetheless, despite growing speculation on his future at Formula One, Tsunoda had managed to secure another year at AlphaTauri, backed by engine developer Honda.
Tsunoda signs off new contract extension with AlphaTauri
Meanwhile, followed by the announcement, Tsunoda said in an interview with a press agency, “I want to say a huge thank you to Red Bull, Honda and Scuderia AlphaTauri for continuing to give me the opportunity to drive in F1.
Having moved to Italy last year, to be closer to the factory, I really feel part of the team and am glad that I get to carry on racing with them in 2023. Of course, our 2022 season isn't over yet and we're still pushing hard in the midfield battle, so I'm fully focused on finishing it on a high and then we will look forward to next year." Besides, AlphaTauri boss Franz Tost said, “As we've seen since he joined us last year, Yuki is a very talented driver and has improved a lot this season.
The pace he has shown recently is clear evidence of a steep learning curve, which proves he deserves a seat in F1, and I still expect some strong results from him in the last six races of 2022. As I always say, a driver needs at least three years to fully get to grips with Formula One, so I'm pleased he's been given the time to show his full potential”.
Tsunoda, who had rarely witnessed points in F1, has been standing currently at sixteenth place in F1 driver’s championship title race this year with only eleven points under his name.
